You can build a simple 555 timer circuit, and plug the capacitors in as the timing cap. If the value is approximately right, then the cap is probably ok. This gets a little more complicated with higher voltage caps, since they need to be re-formed after long storage without voltage. For electrolytics, you may see a tolerance range of -20% to +50% or even 100%. As caps age, they tend to decrease in value, I've seen them degrade to as little as 1% of their nameplate value. -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist